Sports : Vikings win five in a row; defeat Independence, 62-43

Austin Bohnsack scores two more vs. Independence; he was 1 of 4 Vikings to score 10 or more.

Cole Smith gave the Vikings a 38-19 lead on this 2nd period drive; he led VS in scoring Friday.

After dropping their first two contests of the season, the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings basketball team has its fifth straight game.

The Vikings built an early lead at Independence on Friday. They outscored the Mustangs, 16-7, in the first period. In the second, they scored 22 more while holding Independence to 12. A three-pointer by Tyler Rippel and a layup by Cole Smith ended the first-half scoring with the Vikings ahead 38-19.

The two teams played evenly in the second half; the final score was 62-43.

Smith led the Vikings with 13 points. Tyler Stueck and Tyler Bartz each hauled in five rebounds.

Stueck is currently the team's leading scorer and rebounder, and also has dished out the most assists. Smith leads the Viking defense in steals.

The Vikings and Vikettes both play Dunkerton Tuesday in Vinton before beginning their two-week Christmas break.

See game stats HERE.

See the team's list of individual stats HERE.

See more photos of the Viking/Mustang varsity game HERE.